Sydney United 58 have a date with APIA Leichhardt in next Wednesday’s semi-final after defeating St George City 1-0 at the Sydney United Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts confirmed their spot in the NPL Men’s NSW finals series with a confident performance despite needing a late goal.
Captain Adrian Vlastelica nudged home the winner in the 91st minute to make it 1-0 and earn them sixth spot.
For St George City, the job was done last week and they were locked into fifth spot on the ladder regardless. It was a much changed line-up but the visitors held firm for much of the contest.
Sydney United 58 started the game on the front foot as they wanted to confirm their spot in the top six.
Alessandro Lacalandra had the first two chances of the game. His first was a header which nodded wide then the striker poked wide.
Sydney United 58 held a majority of possession as they tried to find the opener. Aidan Milicevic drove forward and dragged a shot past the left post.
Next, it was Milicevic again that pushed forward. He strode into the box and forced St George City keeper Jack Kenny into a diving save.
The visitors started to find their rhythm and get some possession. Paolo Mitry had a low effort that was sent out for a corner which Sydney United 58 swept away.
St George City almost caught the hosts on the hop. Zakairya Hammoud cut inside his defender and rattled the crossbar.
The hosts went close to the opener late in the half. Stephan De Robillard strolled into the box and fired a low shot right at Kenny.
Neither team could find an opening and headed to the sheds locked at 0-0 and all to play for in the second half.
Sydney United 58 kept looking for a goal in the second half. Milicevic drove into the box on the left and fizzed it over.
Hammoud almost stung Sydney United 58 again. He surged forward and forced Sydney United 58 keeper Oliver Kalac into a stop.
St George City found their rhythm and threatened for a goal. Substitute Noah Ovens craned his neck for a header which went wide.
Substitute Mason Wells almost produced the moment for Sydney United 58. He turned inside the box and flashed it past the post.
Sydney United 58 secured the win in stoppage time. The corner swung to the far post and Vlastelica turned home for 1-0 in the 91st minute.
Post match, Sydney United 58 coach Zeljko Kalac reflected on the win and confirming their finals spot.
“It was good to get the win, they put in a good controlled performance and got the result we needed to move on.
“Semi final is a one-off game so anything can happen so now we recover and get ready for it.” said Kalac.
For St George City coach Mirko Jurilj reflected on the achievement of making the finals as they take on Blacktown City next Wednesday.
“Fortunately for us, the job was done last week and we’re guaranteed fifth.
“We had an eye on Wednesday and with injuries and suspensions made it tough to create a line-up but the boys did well.
“It is a massive achievement for the club to finish fifth in the competition and get to the finals. Now we battle against the big boys of the competition and hopefully progress further this season.”
MATCH STATS
Sydney United 58 1 (Vlastelica ’91)
St George City FA 0
Sunday 25 August 2024
Referee: Adrian Arndt
Assistant Referees: Matthew Mcorist & Cameron Wright
Fourth Official: Hayden Michlmayr
Sydney United 58: 1. Oliver Kalac, 3. Bailey Rule, 4. Adrian Vlastelica, 5. Anthony Tomelic, 10. Carlos De Oliveira (8. Luiz Lobo ’82), 11. Matthew Hatch, 13. Alessandro Lacalandra (9. Patrick Antelmi ’61), 15. Tariq Maia (2. Cristian Gonzalez ’82), 19. Aidan Milicevic (6. Adam Zervas ’72), 21. Dejan Bakrdanikoski, 22. Stephan De Robillard (7. Mason Wells ’45)
Unused subs: 58. Ryan Warner
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
St George City FA: 1. Jack Kenny, 7. Nathan Roberts, 8. Dominic Cox (19. Jesse Photi ’58), 12. Caio De Godoy (28. Noah Ovens ’65), 14. Paolo Mitry (33. Louis Khoury ’58), 27. Zakariya Hammoud, 32. Mitchy Jomaa, 34. William Wright, 38. Kai Kamikura (2. Cameron Fong ’58), 46. Daniel Hazouri, 99. Matthew Keremelevski (4. Solomon John Monahan Vaiika ’58)
Unused subs: 21. Ryan Reid
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Player Ratings
3: Matthew Hatch (SU58)
2: Anthony Tomelic (SU58)
1: Zakariya Hammoud (STGFA)
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
